| Abstract: | Complex CaCO3 superstructure can be easily synthesized by using poly (sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSSS) as a structure directing agent to direct the controlled precipitation of calcium carbonate from aqueous solution. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results revealed that the morphology of the products changed significantly with the increasing of the concentration of PSSS in solution, from rhombohedral particles to plate‐packed aggregates to spheres with smooth surface, to sponge‐like spheres and finally to complex spherical superstructure consisted of plate‐like sub‐units. We hypothesize that the observed sequential changes in morphology of CaCO3 particles with added PSSS concentration may be due to the influence of PSSS on nucleation, growth and aggregation of CaCO3 crystals. The formation mechanisms of CaCO3 crystals with different morphologies were discussed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) |
